Lever grip



Aug. 18, 1931.

A. C. KLOPPING LEVER GRIP Filed June 23, 1950 gwoe'ntor Patented Aug. 18, 1931 PATENT orr cs ADOLPH C. KLOPPING, F TOLEDO, OHIO LEVER- GRIP Application filed June 23,

This invention relates primarily to control levers, such for instance as hand oper ated brake and gear-shift levers of automobiles, and particularly to the provision of an enclosing cap adapted for use on the hand grip portion of such levers of the stamped.

type. p

The object of my invention is the provision of an attachment for control levers, particu larly of the stamped t-ype,to provide a finished griptherefor and to cover up seams and other unsightly portions customarily present on the handles of levers of this type.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, and while in its broader aspect it is capable of embodiment in different forms, two embodiments thereof are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a lever of the stamped type equipped with the hand grip embodying the invention, with the hand grip and associated portion of the lever in central vertical section; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the upper end portion of the lever with the grip remover; Fig. 3 is afront elevation of the lever with the grip imposition thereon; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the grip centering button used in connection with 39 one form of the invention; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with slightly modified form of grip centering means; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the upper end portion of the lever in full and with the hand grip removed; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a grip centering button used in connection with the form shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents an emergency brake lever formed of a single 49 piece of sheet steel with its handle portion 2 shaped in cylindrical form and customarily having a seam lengthwise thereof where the two side edges of the metal are brought together in abutting relation. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the

upper end of the handle 2 is left open to reoeive the stud portion of a grip centering button 3.

The hand-grip 4 which, in cooperation 50 with the lever handle and centering button,

1930. Serial No. 463,164.

embodies my invention, is preferably drawn in socket form from sheet metal so as to be free'from seamsand is of a length to suit the length of the lever handle towhich it is to be applied. The grip 4 is preferably tapered '65 from its outer closed end inwardly to its open end with the opening at its inner end conforming in size and cross-sectional shapeto the cross-sectional shape of the lever handle 2 so that it can be slipped down over said handle and snugly fit the same at least at its inner end. i

In order to firmly hold the grip 4 on the lever handle, the grip is provided at its inner end in the present instance with an integral inwardly pressed tongue 5 which enters a recess or opening 6 in the inner end portion of the handle 2 when the grip is in assembled position thereon. The projection of the tongue 5 is such that when it is disposed in the recess 6, its free endcoacts with the outer or upper wall of such recess to prevent withdrawal of the grip from the lever.

In order to fix the outer enlarged end por 7 tion ofthe grip 1 in centered relation to the handle2. a centering button '3 of flanged form is provided in the outer closed end portion of the grip l with itsfiange fitting the interior of the grip at its enlarged outer end portion and the stud portion of the button entering 30 the open outer end of the lever handle 2 and snugly fittinglthe same. 1 Itwill be under-' stood that the buttonB is assembled in the grip 4 before the has been drawn down tothe taperedform shown. 1 With the flange of the button 3 fitting the enlarged outer end portionof, the grip & and the stud of such button fitting the open end of. the lever handle, it is apparent that the grip is firmly centered at its outerend with respect to the handle.

In Figs. 5 and 6, the outer end of the lever handle, which in this case is designated 2, is shown as being drawn down to form an axially projecting stud 7 instead of being of the open form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the centering button 8 is of disk form of a size to fit the enlarged closed end portion of the grip at and is provided with a central opening 9 for.

snugly receiving the stud 7 on the handle end when the grip is forced home thereon.

It is apparent that I have provided a simple form of grip for use on the handles of stamped levers to give such handles a finished and pleasing appearance and that such grip may be easily and quickly applied to a lever and secured thereto in rigid centered relation. I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement or form of the parts,as it is ca'pa ble of different modifications without departing from the spirit of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by U; S. Letters Patent is:

, 1. In combination,.a'lever,'a socketed hand the lever, means for retaining the grip onthe lever handle, and means interiorly of the grip for interenga'gement with the outer end portion of the handle to center the outer end ofthe grip relative to the handle;

2. In combination, alever, a socketed hand grip telescoped over the handle of the lever, said grip beinginteriorly tapered from its outer closed end toward its open end, means interconnecting the outer end of the handle and the interior of the 3g closed end to center such; end of the, grip with respect to the handle, and. interconnecting means between the open end portion of the grip andthe handle to retain them in assembled relation.

3. In combination, a stamped lever having a cylindrical handle portion with a side recess therein, a sheet metal grip of elongated socket form tapered from its-outer closed end inwardly to reduce the size of-the grip at its inner end, saidgrip being telescopedover said handle-and having-its open end fitting the handle and its outer end larger than the handle said grip having a'n-integral tongue which enters the recess of the handle tore- 4 5; tain the grip and handle in assembled-relation, and means interiorlyof the closedend of the grip coacting with the outer-end of'the handle to firmly centerthe outer end of the grip relative to the handle. I j 56 L Incombination, alever, a socketed handgrip telescoped over the handle portion of the lever, and means interiorlyof the grip interengaging with and firmly centered by the outer end portion of the handle and co-faeting with the grip to center it with respect to'the handle. H

5. In combination, a lever, a socketedjhandgrip telescoped over" the lever' handle and having its inner end fitting the handle 60; its outer end loose with respect'to the h'an dle 'to' permit lateral rocking movements of one on the other, andmeans interi'oily of the grip and having holding engagement with 'both'the grip and'hajndle tp p event said lateral mckingmwemems grip at its enlarged- 6. In combination, a lever having a longitudinally extending hole in the outer end of its handle, a socketed hand-grip telescoped over the handle of the lever and having its outer end loose on the handle to permit relative rocking movements thereof, and a button in centered engagement with the outer end portion of the grip and having a part entering said hole in the handle and cooperating with the lever handle to firmly hold the grip against lateral movement relative thereto.

7. In combination, a lever having its handle end provided with a longitudinally proj ecting stud, a socketed hand-grip telescoped over the handleof the lever and having its outer end loose on the handle to permit relative rocking movements thereof, and a buttoninteriorly of the grip in centered engagement'with'the outer end portion thereof and having an opening receiving the handle stud and cooperating with it to firmly hold the grip. against-lateral movements relative to the handle,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name tothisspecification.

ADOLPH C. KLOPPING. 

